Rep.Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a potential 2028 presidential contender, drew criticism from across the political spectrum after pointing to the riots in France as a warning about wealth inequality and urging the U.S.
to "listen to our young.""This is what happens when the nations let wealth and power accumulate in the hands of a few," Khanna wrote in a post to X on Sunday evening.Khanna's post comes on the heels of nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living and public services that descended into violence, looting and arson in several French cities on Saturday, prompting critics to accuse the progressive Democrat of giving political legitimacy to the destruction.Spencer Pratt, former mayoral candidate for Los Angeles, blasted what he saw as an attempt to side with rioters.JONATHAN TURLEY: SOCIALISM IS BACK IN STYLE AND DEMOCRATS ARE BUYING THE PITCHSpencer Pratt, political commentator and former mayoral candidate for LA, left, pictured alongside Rep.Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a likely candidate for president in the Democratic Party, right.
(HIGHFIVE/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images; Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)"Of course Rohit Conman sees mass communist riots destroying businesses and historic buildings in Paris and lies about it as some noble ‘ask’ for justice," Pratt wrote."These commies lie as easily as they breathe."The comment also drew criticism from Shannon Watts, a Democratic gun activist who, in recent months, has criticized the far-left portions of her party."If you’re a member of Congress who condemned the January 6 insurrection, you don’t get to excuse riots in France as a ‘cry for help.’ Political violence doesn’t become acceptable just because you sympathize with people committing it," Watts wrote in a post of her own.Still others warned Khanna against using the moment as a way to build political momentum."Ro Khanna has long sought to ride the rage wave to power," Jonathan Turley, a political commentator and legal analyst, said."K...